Being a caregiver for aging parents is a role that requires immense love and dedication. It also comes with many challenges that can leave caregivers feeling overwhelmed and stretched thin. Fortunately, generative AI is paving the way for innovative solutions that alleviate caregiving burdens.
As a doctor and caregiver, I wanted to explore how AI could help me care for my parents. So, I created an app to help aging Americans and their caregivers.
That app is Together.
Caring for aging parents entails many responsibilities, from managing medication schedules and doctor appointments to ensuring their overall well-being, including arranging necessary proactive and preventive labs and x-rays.
The demands of these tasks can quickly become a source of stress, especially for caregivers juggling their professional lives. Generative AI offers a helping hand to ease the caregiving journey.
Medication adherence is crucial for seniors, but keeping track of numerous prescriptions can be challenging. Generative AI technology can assist caregivers and patients by providing automated medication management systems that send reminders for medication refills and ensure that the proper medications and doses are taken at the correct times. AI can also note which doctor filled the prescription with their contact information.
Scheduling and managing doctor appointments can be daunting, especially when multiple healthcare providers are involved. Generative AI can simplify this process by providing intelligent appointment scheduling systems.
These systems can sync with calendars, send reminders, and even help coordinate transportation, making it easier for caregivers to ensure they are not losing a day’s work at the last minute for an unexpected trip to see Mom’s doctor.
Generative AI technology has the potential to enhance safety and monitoring for aging Americans. For instance, using the camera on a smartphone for a 60-second selfie allows AI to check a patient’s blood pressure, oxygenation, and heart rate.
This incredible technology enables caregivers to know a loved one’s vitals without applying a blood pressure cuff, which can be painful or require batteries.
Caregiving for aging parents is challenging, but the emergence of generative AI technology provides promising solutions to alleviate the stresses faced by caregivers and support the well-being of aging Americans.
By streamlining medication management, simplifying appointment coordination, enhancing safety measures, and offering personalized assistance, generative AI offers a helping hand to caregivers and empowers them to provide the best possible care for their loved ones.
With the compassionate integration of technology, caregivers and aging Americans can navigate the caregiving journey with reduced stress and improved quality of life.
Renee Dua
Dr. Dua is the visionary behind Together by Renee. Dr. Dua created Renee as an AI assistant that helps chronic disease patients and their caregivers achieve better health outcomes by managing healthcare tasks.
Since 2014, Dr. Dua has served as the Chief Medical Officer of Heal, building the entire clinical team and leading numerous innovations including the CES Innovation Award winning Heal Hub. Dr. Dua was instrumental in working with CMS to expand house calls to all seniors and in driving strategy for Heal’s clinical and patient facing products. Driven by the belief that great healthcare is a human right, Dr. Dua has always gone beyond the call of duty to give the greatest care to the neediest patients.
Prior to Heal, Dr. Dua built a thriving nephrology practice in Los Angeles and was a pioneer in the successful usage of electronic health records and practice management. Dr. Dua has also served as Chief of Medicine at Valley Presbyterian and Simi Valley Hospitals which are two of LA’s largest.
Dr. Dua completed her BS in Biochemistry at UC San Diego, her MD at Rosalind Franklin University, her residency in internal medicine at UCLA, and her fellowship in nephrology at USC. Renee is an outspoken role model for women in STEM frequently speaking at top universities, conferences and media outlets.
Renee is the mother of three young kids who are her pride and joy. In her rare free time, she cooks and takes walks with her best friend and husband, Nick Desai.
